Invalid walker



May 1956 J. 1.. HOGAN: 7 2,745,565

INVALID WA Filed April 13, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Joseph H090 INVENTOR.

y 5, 1956 J. L. HOGAN 2,745,465

INVALID WALKER Filed April 13, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent i INVALID WALKER Joseph L. Hogan, San Francisco, Calif., assignor to Walk- A-Lator Mfg. Co., Inc., Santa Rosa,Caiif., a corporation of California Application April 13, 1954, Serial No. 422,785

2 Claims. (Cl. 155-23) This invention relates to an invalid walker and more particularly to a device for assisting crippled persons, people suffering from polio and other kindred infirmities in the art of walking.

An object of this invention is to provide an invalid walker upon which a person may lean while attempting to walk.

Another object of this invention is to provide a walker which can be used by babies when learning to walk.

A further object of this invention is to provide an invalid walker having means thereon to prevent the walker from sliding sideways thereby giving greater confidence to the person using the same.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide an invalid walker wherein the center of gravity is disposed within the confines of the frame to prevent the possibility of slipping and give a sense of security to the user.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved invalid rocker having a seat mounted thereon upon which the invalid may rest when desired.

Another object of this invention is to provide an invalid walker having a pair of armpit supporting members mounted thereon for giving greater support to the user.

A still further object of this invention is to provide'an invalid walker which is simple and eflicient in construction, and durable and lasting in use.

These together with other objects and advantages and will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invalid walker forming the subject of this invention carrying the seat, armpit supporting members and a carrying basket in operative position thereon;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the invalid walker similar to Figure 1 wherein the seat is moved to an inoperative position and the armpit supporting members are in an operative position;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the invalid walker wherein both the seat and the armpit supporting arms are in an inoperative position;

Figure 4 is a front end elevational view of the invalid walker showing the seat, armpit supporting members and carrying basket in operative position;

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the rear portion of one of the frame members showing an auxiliary wheel in an inoperative position; and

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the section line 66 of Figure 2.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that the improved invalid walker forming the subject of this invention includes a frame formed of a pair of side members each of which is provided with a horizontal portion 10 having a substantially 2,745,465 Patented May 15, 1956 ICC vertically extending portion 12 secured to the forward end thereof. The vertical portion 12 extends rearwardly of the horizontal portion 10 and is also provided with a portion thereof oii'set inwardly toward the other side frame member.

A pair of parallel shafts 14 and 16 extend between the side frame members. The shaft 14 extends between the upper ends of the vertical portion 12 and the shaft 16 extends between the lower ends of the vertical portion 12. As seen in Figure 6, the side frame members formed on the portions 10 and 12 are preferably tubular in cross-section and the shafts14 and 16 are provided with reduced ends 18 which are externally threaded as at 20. The portions 12 are provided with apertures 22 extending therethrough which receive the reduced ends 18 of the shafts 14 and 16. Suitable cap nuts 24 are engaged on the threaded portions 20 for retaining the shafts 14 and 16 in position on the side frame members. By providing the reduced end portions 18 the side frame members will be prevented against movement toward each other along the shafts 14 and 16.

A pair of wheels 26 are rotatably mounted on the shaft 16. One of the wheels 26 is positioned adjacent each end of the shaft 16. Suitable collars 28 are fixedly mounted on the shaft 16 to prevent the wheels 26 from moving longitudinally of the shaft 16.

The upper ends of the portions 12 are provided with horizontally disposed rearwardly extending portions 30. Each of these portions 30 is provided with a hand-grip 32 whereby the user of the device may conveniently grip the same. A suitable brace member 34 extends between the forward ends of the horizontally disposed portions 30 and the rear end of the horizontally disposed portion 10. The rear end of the horizontal portion 10 is provided with a downwardly extending portion 36 having a suitable snubber 38 at its lower end.

In practical use of the device thus far described, an invalid or the like will grasp the hand-grip 32 for steadying himself during an attempt at walking. By slightly raising the rear end of the horizontal portion 10 he may push the device forwardly on the wheels 26.

In order that the user may move the device forwardly without raising the rear end of the horizontal portion 10, a plate 40 is pivotally secured by means of a suitable fastener 42 to the rear end of each of the horizontal portions 10. A wheel 44 is pivotally secured by means of a fastener 46 to the plate 40. The plates 40 are further provided with a pair of apertures 48 extending therethrough. A spring-pressed plunger 50 of conventional construction is mounted on each of the horizontal portions 10 and is adapted to extend therethrongh and into engagement with a selected one of the apertures 48. Thus, it will be seen that by placing the spring-pressed plunger 40 in engagement with a desired one of the apertures 48 the wheels 44 will be moved into and out of contact with the surface over which the device is traveling. When the wheels 44 are in contact with the surface the entire device may be freely moved over the surface by the user without the necessity of having to raise the rear end of the walker.

In order to provide an additional support for the user of the device, a pair of armpit supports are mounted on the walker. The armpit supports each comprises an L-shaped member 52 having a collar 54 secured to one end thereof. The collars 54 are adapted to be mounted on the shaft 14 whereby the members 52 can be pivoted between an upwardly extending position and a downwardly extending position. Secured to the other end of the members 52 are padded armpit rests 56. In order to maintain the armpit supports in an upwardly extending position a hook 58 is provided on the legs thereof which is attached to the armpit rests 56 adjacent the connection of' the other leg member thereto. These hooks 53 are adapted to engage the portions 30- which are secured to the side frame members.

The walker forming the subject of this invention. is

further provided with a seat whereby the user can rest when desired. This seat comprises a seat portion 60 having a leg 62 extending downwardly. from eachend thereof; extending portion 64 at the lower end thereof.

of the outwardly extending portion- 64 on the leg 62'. The provision of a plurality of" apertures 66 allowsthe seat to be adjusted for various size persons; The seat 60 In order that the user may carry desired articles withhirn when he'is using the device, there is'provided for attachment to the shaft 14 av carrying basket 72. The basket 72 is provided with a pair ofdownwardly extending hooks 74 secured to the upperiend of the rear side thereof. The hooks 74 are adapted to be engaged on the shaft 14 for retaining the basket 72* in position thereon.

In practical use of the device, the seat 60 and armpit supporting member 50 can be left mounted on the frame at aninoperative position; This position is shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. of the device can have the wheels 44 either in ground"- engaging position orin retracted position depending upon his desires at the time. Then, when he desires to. rest the seat 60 can be moved to the position shown in Figure 1 and the person can then seat himself thereon. If, it is desired to add additional supports for the user-the armpit supporting members 52 may be moved to the position shown in Figure 2 whereby the user will'stand'with. the members 56 placed under his arms.

From the foregoing, the construction and operationof' the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. 'However, since numerous modifications and changes will readilyoccur to those skilled in the art, itis not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown'and described,

and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed as new isas follows:

1. An invalid walker comprising a frame, said-frame The legs 62 are provided with an outwardly The horizontal portion is provided with aplurality of apertures 66 adjacent its midportion for the reception In such a position the user' being formed of a pair of side members, each of said side members having a horizontally disposed portion and a vertically extending portion secured to the forward end of said horizontal portion and extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom, means extending between said side members for maintaining the same in vertical positions, said vertical portions being provided with horizontally disposed rearwardly extending handle portions, and a pair of wheels mounted for rotation on said frame adjacent theforward ends of, saidhorizontal portions; saidv means comprisinga'pair of parallel; shafts extendingbetween said side members one of said shaftsibeingdisposed adjacentthe upper, ends of said vertical portinnsthe other of saidshafts'being disposedadjacent'the' lower ends of said vertical portions, said wheels-being disposed at the opposite ends of said lower shaft, said side frame members being provided with a seat pivotally secured thereto for movement between an operative and an inoperative position; said seat comprising a seat portion" provided with-a leg extending downwardly from each end thereof, said=legs being pivoted at their lower endsto said horizontal portions intermediate the length thereof; brace means connecting the-upperends ofthe vertical portions with the rear-ends of the" horizontal portions, said seat portion being provided with means thereon engaging'said" bracemeans for retaining said seat in' an operative position.

2. An invalid walker comprising a frame formed-of a pair of side members each having a horizontal lower portion and a vertical portion secured to the-forward end of the horizontal portion, said vertical portions being provided with horizontal rearwardly extending handle portions, means extending between said side members formaintaining the same vertical and'including a shaft adjacent thelower ends of said vertical portions, ground wheels on said shaft, a seat between said side members comprising an elongated seat portion, and legs extending downwardly from the endsof theseatportion and having lower ends pivoted to. said-horizontal portions whereby said seat portion is-swingablevertically-between upper-and lower positions; respectively, braces connecting the upperends of the vertical portionswith said horizontal portions, and means on said seat portion engaging said braces to retain -the seat portion-in its upper position.

References Cited in-thefile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

